20 of the Most Famous Songs About Drugs

“Sex, drugs and rock-and-roll” was a mantra for a generation, but the mantra lives on. While Nancy Reagan may have wanted kids to “Just Say No” to drugs, it didn’t take, at least not for musicians who continue to record songs about the mind-altering affects of marijuana, cocaine and alcohol. Click forward to see 20 of the most famous songs about drugs.

1. “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground (1967)

A seven-minute opus on heroin that starts slow but builds to a frantic crescendo. You can’t get more clarity about drugs than a title called “Heroin.”

“Sex, drugs and rock-and-roll” was a mantra for a generation, but the mantra lives on. While Nancy Reagan may have wanted kids to “Just Say No” to drugs, it didn’t take, at least not for musicians who continue to record songs about the mind-altering affects of marijuana, cocaine and alcohol. Click forward to see 20 of the most famous songs about drugs.

1. “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground (1967)

A seven-minute opus on heroin that starts slow but builds to a frantic crescendo. You can’t get more clarity about drugs than a title called “Heroin.”

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2.“Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” by The Beatles (1967)

The Beatles had subtle hints of drug-use in their songs, including “Day Tripper” (about acid), and “Got to Get You Into My Life” (pot), but this song is their most famous in the drug realm.

2.“Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” by The Beatles (1967)

The Beatles had subtle hints of drug-use in their songs, including “Day Tripper” (about acid), and “Got to Get You Into My Life” (pot), but this song is their most famous in the drug realm.

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3. “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton (1980)

Originally written by J.J. Cale in 1976, it was made famous by Eric Clapton and became one of his audience favorites. Everyone knows this song, even your grandmother.

3. “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton (1980)

Originally written by J.J. Cale in 1976, it was made famous by Eric Clapton and became one of his audience favorites. Everyone knows this song, even your grandmother.

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4. “Pusherman” by Curtis Mayfield (1972)

Released on the “Super Fly” soundtrack, “Pusherman” tells the story of a drug dealer. Check out that bass line. You can’t help but swivel your head.

4. “Pusherman” by Curtis Mayfield (1972)

Released on the “Super Fly” soundtrack, “Pusherman” tells the story of a drug dealer. Check out that bass line. You can’t help but swivel your head.

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5. “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd (1979)

While Roger Waters may say the lyrics are about what he felt like as a child when he was sick with fever, and not drugs, try telling that to every college student who listened to this song while partaking of natural or man-made chemicals.

5. “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd (1979)

While Roger Waters may say the lyrics are about what he felt like as a child when he was sick with fever, and not drugs, try telling that to every college student who listened to this song while partaking of natural or man-made chemicals.

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6. “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails (1994)

A powerful song about consequence and regret, its depressing tone might very well turn you to drugs.

6. “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails (1994)

A powerful song about consequence and regret, its depressing tone might very well turn you to drugs.

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7. “White Lines (Don’t Do It)” by Grandmaster Flash (1983)

Another seven-minute song that throws down a beat and doesn’t let up, replete with social commentary and warnings about white lines.

7. “White Lines (Don’t Do It)” by Grandmaster Flash (1983)

Another seven-minute song that throws down a beat and doesn’t let up, replete with social commentary and warnings about white lines.

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8. “Smoke Two Joints” by Sublime (1992)

Originally written by The Toyes and released in 1983, it was Sublime that made it famous. There’s no subtext here; the title says it all.

8. “Smoke Two Joints” by Sublime (1992)

Originally written by The Toyes and released in 1983, it was Sublime that made it famous. There’s no subtext here; the title says it all.

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9. “Sister Morphine” by The Rolling Stones (1971)

Another song written by someone else (Marianne Faithful) but made famous by the later cover version.

9. “Sister Morphine” by The Rolling Stones (1971)

Another song written by someone else (Marianne Faithful) but made famous by the later cover version.

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10. “Hits From the Bong” by Cypress Hill (1993)

With a title like this, you get what you asked for.

10. “Hits From the Bong” by Cypress Hill (1993)

With a title like this, you get what you asked for.

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11. “Cocaine Blues” by Johnny Cash (1968)

A reworking of the song “Little Sadie,” it was released in 1947, but made famous by Johnny Cash when he sang it at Folsom Prison.

11. “Cocaine Blues” by Johnny Cash (1968)

A reworking of the song “Little Sadie,” it was released in 1947, but made famous by Johnny Cash when he sang it at Folsom Prison.

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12. “The Pusher” by Steppenwolf (1969)

Written by Hoyt Axton and used in the 1969 movie “Easy Rider.”

12. “The Pusher” by Steppenwolf (1969)

Written by Hoyt Axton and used in the 1969 movie “Easy Rider.”

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13. “Under the Bridge” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1992)

Written by Anthony Kiedis, it encompasses his feelings of loneliness within the band and his days of being a heroin addict. A classic anti-drug ballad.

13. “Under the Bridge” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1992)

Written by Anthony Kiedis, it encompasses his feelings of loneliness within the band and his days of being a heroin addict. A classic anti-drug ballad.

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14. “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse (2006)

A sad commentary given how her tragically short life ended.

14. “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse (2006)

A sad commentary given how her tragically short life ended.

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15. “Mr. Brownstone” by Guns N’ Roses (1987)

Replete with drug lyrics, the song is about heroin.

15. “Mr. Brownstone” by Guns N’ Roses (1987)

Replete with drug lyrics, the song is about heroin.

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16. “Master of Puppets” by Metallica (1986)

Another song with references to drugs, the “Master of Puppets” refers to drugs and how they become the masters of people’s lives.

16. “Master of Puppets” by Metallica (1986)

Another song with references to drugs, the “Master of Puppets” refers to drugs and how they become the masters of people’s lives.

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17. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1993)

Said guitarist Mike Campbell, “A lot of people think it’s a drug reference ... but it could also just be a goodbye love song.”

17. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1993)

Said guitarist Mike Campbell, “A lot of people think it’s a drug reference ... but it could also just be a goodbye love song.”

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18. “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan (1997)

As she explained on VH1's “Storytellers,” the song is about Jonathan Melvoin, the Smashing Pumpkins' touring keyboard player who died from a heroin overdose. Most people might identify it as that really sad song that plays beneath the SPCA ad.

18. “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan (1997)

As she explained on VH1's “Storytellers,” the song is about Jonathan Melvoin, the Smashing Pumpkins' touring keyboard player who died from a heroin overdose. Most people might identify it as that really sad song that plays beneath the SPCA ad.

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19. “Casey Jones” by The Grateful Dead (1970)

While this song references the story of Casey Jones, who may have been on cocaine while driving that train, really, what song in the Grateful Dead library isn’t associated with drugs?

19. “Casey Jones” by The Grateful Dead (1970)

While this song references the story of Casey Jones, who may have been on cocaine while driving that train, really, what song in the Grateful Dead library isn’t associated with drugs?